Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 140

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we were going to have a typhoon very soon and my rough observations were confirmed by several naval people who were in the harbour, especially by Capt. BROC of the French Mail Steamer Polynesien, who came to report damage by two river steamers colliding with him, and by the Commanders of the French destroyers. The Local signs were-since 16th the atmosphere was heavy, the temperature exceptionally warm, the sky of a grey leaden colour with clouds thick in W. On Sunday evening the diurnal oscillation of the barometer was abnormal, reading 2.10 in. (or 5 mm.), instead of 1.10 in. (normal). On Monday evening at 4 p.m. the barometer was still normal-about 760 mm. but the sunset on Monday, which I noticed personally coming back on a launch from Deep Water Bay and Aberdeen, was indicative of a typhoon. The sun set with sharp red colour, in parts purple, in others yellowish copper, behind a thick veil of grey heavy clouds. The appearance of the sky at sunset on Monday to anyone accustomed to these regions indicated a typhoon not far off.

Examined by Sir Henry Berkeley

Q. When did you write these notes down?

A.-On the afternoon after the typhoon, but they could be confirmed by my companions on the launch, Mr. BOLLES of the Standard Oil Company and others whose names I could find out from Mr. BOLLES. The same observation of the sky was made at the same time by Capt. Broc and by the Commanders of the French destroyers. The notes were made after conversation with Capt. BROC and the Commanders of the destroyers whose memory and observations coincided with mine. (Notes marked F put in.)

At the same time on Monday evening there was very little breeze but what little there was came from W. (This statement was doubted by Lieut. Butterworth who stated that his re- collection was that the wind was from the E.) On board the Polynesien and destroyers during the night of Monday-Tuesday, W & NW breezes were felt. From midnight on Monday the barometer began to fall slowly but regularly. At midnight it read 757 mm;t 4 a.m. 756 mm; at 6.30 a. 755; at 8 a.m. 754; and during the night the wind was more and more from WNW.

Taking into account these barometrical variations and the general atmospheric conditions which I have referred to and taking into account the law of typhoons as given by Père Algue (of the Manila Observatory) who says that when the barometer goes slowly and regularly down, with the atmospheric conditions observed and with the breeze coming from the first quadrant i.e. from NW, the centre of the typhoon is not far and will pass N of the place. Taking all this in consideration the Captain of the Polynesien ordered full steam between 3 and 4 a.m. on Tuesday and the Officers commanding the destroyers began to steam up at 7 a.m. some time before the first signal was hoisted, as they saw the barometer going down slowly and regularly. In their and my opinion, these precautions would have ensured their safety had it not been for Merchant steamers drifting-they having no steam up as they had had no warning from the Observatory: The Radnorshire ran on to Monteagle, the Monteagle ran on to the British gunboat Phoenix and both on to the group formed by the 4 French destroyers who were fully prepared for the typhoon,

(Diagrams marked G and G 1 put in.)

I will now give you information from outside, ie., warnings that might have been given from indications noticed by Zicawei and Manila.

Zicawei says:-15th September.-New centre of depression advancing towards Formosa from Meiaco Sima (group of Islands, East of Formosa).

16th.-Centre of depression in S nearly stationary at Formosa.